Breaking the Word

26^th Week in Ord. Time, Wednesday – 28^th September 2022 — Gospel: Lk 9,57-62

Respond without Excuses

In today’s Gospel, Jesus challenges His would-be disciple by saying that His way is different from human ways. A few individuals declare their desire to follow Jesus, but at first seek excuses to take care of their family business and say “good-byes” to their loved ones. Jesus demands a complete and an immediate response with no excuses. He wishes them to leave behind their former lives if they are to become his disciples. In one of his responses, Jesus states that “the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” What does it mean “to rest” here?  Jesus did not mean literally physical rest. In some passages we find that Jesus is resting or sleeping (Lk 2,7; Mk 4,38-40). In this context, Jesus meant that our commitment to the mission requires our undivided attention and effort every single day. If we wish to follow him, our discipleship will require detachment, focus, and disciple.

26^th Week in Ord. Time, Tuesday – 27^th September 2022 — Gospel: Lk 9,51-56

Preference of Love to Violence

In today’s Gospel, we find that Jesus encounters opposition at the beginning of his journey. A Samaritan village refuses to welcome him because Samaritans and Jews were enemies for centuries (2 Kings 17,24-41). This rejection of Jesus at the beginning of his ministry coincides with the rejection at the beginning of his ministry in Nazareth (4,16-30). This foreshadows the rejection that Jesus will face in Jerusalem. In response to the rejection, James and John want to react and destroy the whole village.  As disciples of Jesus they didn’t want to put into practice Jesus’ teaching on loving one’s enemies. Perhaps, James and John had seen the prophet Elijah on the mount, so they thought they might imitate him and call down fire from heaven (2 Kgs 1). In another sense, John was trying to impress Jesus with his zeal for protecting His name. However, Jesus was not impressed, but He rebuked their vengeful spirit and simply went to another village. Jesus’ rebuke of James and John is an indication that he will not use violence in His ministry but will win people only through love. At the same time, Jesus makes it clear that He will not force His teaching on anyone who does not want to listen to it. The Samaritans were not to be converted through a show of brute power. Later, Jesus will exact the perfect recompense by announcing the Gospel to Samaria (Acts 8).